The Fleet Report and Daily for Friday March 8th, 2024

[kazu]

 

Today is Be Nasty Day, National Middle Name Pride Day, and National Peanut Cluster Day
 

It takes ten times as long to put yourself back together as it does to fall apart.--Suzanne Collins, Mockingjay

Meal Suggestion for today - Short Rib Soup (Instant Pot or Stove)
Drink of the Day - Paper Plane
Wine of the Day - 2021 Cabernet Franc
Destination of the Day - At Sea (Great Barrier Reef) 

Today in History:
1531 Henry VIII recognised as supreme head of Church in England by the Convocation of Canterbury
1817 The New York Stock Exchange is founded
1867 British North America Act is passed in the House of Commons, serves as Canada's constitution for more than 100 years
1936 The first stock car race is held in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Ship Locations
 

Eurodam

At Sea Destination Falmouth Jamaica eta 03-09
 

Koningsdam

Papeete, Tahiti Island French Polynesia - 17:00 
 

Nieuw Amsterdam

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas 08:00 - 14:00 
 

Nieuw Statendam

Cozumel, Mexico 9:00pm 
 

Oosterdam

At Sea Destination Port Stanley, East Falkland Island eta 03-10
 

Rotterdam

Fort Lauderdale, Port Everglades, Florida 07:00 - 15:00 
 

Zaandam

At Sea Destination Port-of-Spain, Trinidad eta 03-10

Eastern Hemisphere
 

Noordam

Sydney, NSW Australia 7:00-18:30 
 

Volendam

Akaroa, New Zealand 08:00 - 17:00 
 

Westerdam

Nagasaki City, Japan Nagasaki 08:00 - 18:00 
 

Zuiderdam

At Sea Destination Dalian, China eta 03-10

[rafinmd]

The TGIF maps:

 

 

 

 

Roy

[JazzyV]

Today’s Care List:

Cat Shepard’s DSis post emergency surgery, improving, to rehab soon

RMLincoln’s DH Richard with an eye appointment today

Seasick Sailor’s DH Allen with a pinched nerve in the neck

Haljo1935 seeing Neurologist today

Marshhawk’s DH Chuck post arterial surgery

Fires in the Texas panhandle and OK; snow in CA and CAN

 

Citizens of Ukraine, Israel and Gaza; loss of US military members

All Dailyites going through worries and stress, whether mentioned or not

 

From the Rotation:

StLouisCruisers’ nephew’s twins

Mr. Boston’s friend Lauren with aggressive cancer, starting hospice care

Tana with chronic pulmonary issues

 

Celebrations and Shoutouts:

57redbird flying to Maui for a 2 week vacation

StLouisCruisers’ DGD Morgan finding a safer place to live

Cruising sister’s great niece Murphy discharged to home!

Kazu stepping up to keep the FR/Daily going while Rich is cruising

 

The Daily Gardening Club posting wonderful flower pictures

All the contributors to the Fleet Report/Daily

 

Upcoming Cruises or At Sea:

 

7 days for Lady Hudson (Vision of the Seas Mar 15 to Mar 23) 8d Southeast Coast & Bahamas, with her sister

 

LAFFNVEGAS (Winstar Wind Surf to Mar 9) 7d Classic Caribbean, Nickelpenny (Zaandam to Mar 16 2024) 28d Amazon Explorer, Mtn2Sea (Zaandam to Mar 16 2024) 28d Amazon Explorer, 0106 (Nieuw Statendam to Mar 17) 14d W/E Caribbean, w/BFF, USN59-79 (Seabourn Sojourn to Mar 24) 33d Sydney to Taipei + 17d in Taipei, Cruising-along (Volendam to April 6) 94d Grand AUS & NZ voyage, Durangoscots (Volendam to April 6, 94d Grand AUS & NZ voyage), cruising sister (Volendam to April 6, 94d Grand AUS & NZ voyage), Cruisercl (Volendam to April 6, 94d Grand AUS & NZ voyage), Richwmn (Volendam to May 4, Jan 3 94d Grand Australia & NZ Voyage + Apr 6 15d PC Cruise + Apr 21 The Atlantic Coast), Cat in my lap (Zuiderdam to May 11, 128d Grand World Voyage), Gail & Marty sailing away (Zuiderdam to May 11, 128d Grand World Voyage) and Aliaschief (Azamara Onward WC to June 9, 156d World Voyage)

Edited March 8 by JazzyV

[grapau27]

Good morning from a partly sunny 43°F North East England.

3 interesting days.

Personally I ignore nasty people.

It is so much easier and less stressful to always be friendly and not spiteful.

Today is also International women's day which is much better.

I hope everyone on the care list are feeling better.

Good wishes to my nice friends for a wonderful day.

[Crazy For Cats]

Good Morning, thanks for today’s daily fleet report.  It’s been a very busy work week.  The biggest challenge of the cyber attack is that many hospitals can’t submit claims.  We are helping them find alternative solutions to submit claims and then get reimbursed.  Some hospitals will struggle to make payroll.  Definitely looking forward to eleven days on the Eurodam.

[seagarsmoker]

Good morning Dailyites and thank you for the Daily Report.

I hope everyone here has a wonderful weekend! 

[kazu]

 

Happy TGIF everyone.  Thanks Rich, Roy, Vanessa, Debbie, Ann & Dixie for your dedication.

 

Not sure I care for any of the collection of days today.  There is a much more important one for me and I will choose to celebrate it.  It’s International Women’s Day today.

 

 

 

Boy, is that quote ever true - spot on.  Not a fan of beef soups so I will pass and have to wait for the wine.  I fear it is red though 😉. We’ve been to Australia but we were not allowed to sail anywhere close to the Great Barrier Reef back then.

 

 

We have lots of white on the ground - it’s not snow - it’s all ice pellets. I’ll have to test it later carefully.  If they are cleaned off it’s ice underneath so I’m not sure what the best thing is to do. 🤷 Took this pic at the beginning.

 

 

 

Finished most of the name tags yesterday - just a few late comers to add and a double check to make sure all is good and I can close the name tag factory 😊 The rest of the day may be spent cleaning up outside - or not.  I’ll see how it is.

 

 

 

Prayers for those on the Care list, those suffering losses, grief, pain, health issues, worries & those that need them 🙏 Cheers to those celebrating and cruising 🥂 

 

[aliaschief]

Good morning though it’s 9:30 PM here and Friday. It was just a washout monsoon day here in Cairns. Tomorrow is a sea day and we can tell we are at sea and feeling some movement. Next stops are in New Guinea and are hoping for drier weather. Tis the season.

Dinner in dining room tonight followed by an entertainer who was a master of the a six string guitar. An enjoyable show and evening.

Enjoy your wake ups and coffee but for us it’s bedtime with a morning wake up on a great adventure. Thanks for the reports and postings. Bruce

[puppycanducruise]

Good morning.  Thanks for the Friday Report.

Let's all celebrate Women's Day and avoid Be Nasty Day.

Cool and cloudy today.  We've got a weather advisory, lots of rain starting tonight.

True quote.

I'll pass on the meal, not sure about the drink or the wine.

Prayers for everyone on the Care List.  Cheers for all the celebrations.

Have a great day.  Stay safe.

[StLouisCruisers]

Good morning friends!  Here in my neck of the woods it's about 56F and partly cloudy.  The high temp will be around 68 degrees with rain expected to begin around Happy Hour time, which will continue all night and into early morning tomorrow.  I'm sure there will flood watches announced.  DH and I have dental cleanings this morning and then will get some groceries.  Yesterday we early voted in our Primary election and picked up some free over the counter items provided each quarter by our health insurance.  I also made final payment on our upcoming 42 day Zuiderdam cruise starting June 8. 😬💲

 

Thank you Jacqui @kazu and Roy @rafinmd for posting the Fleet Report and Daily as well as the fleet location maps for Rich @richwmn.  I have to agree with Graham @grapau27 I don't like recognizing Be Nasty Day.  I prefer pride in my middle name (Kay) and peanut clusters!  Yum!  It's a very good idea to include International Women's Day!  The quote is interesting and true.  I'm sure the short rib soup will be great, no idea what a paper plane cocktail is and doubt I'd like the wine if a red one.  As for days in history, a varied and good day for Henry VIII, the NYSE, Canadian Constitution, and the Daytona race beginnings.  Thanks to the Food and Beverage Department heads, Debbie @dfish, Dixie @summer slope and Ann @cat shepard for your reports.

 

Prayers said before my workout for my great nephew Alex's twins, my DB, friends Scott and Susan, the people of Israel and Ukraine, the hostages still held, our troops in the region, and the good friends I have here on the Daily in need of pain relief, healing, freedom from stress, worry and depression.  Ann @cat shepard great news about your DSis's recovery coming along and possibility of moving to a rehab facility soon.  Bless you for helping to research facilities for her.  Hoping Chuck @catmando is coming along well and Annie @marshhawk gets some good sales soon.  For all celebrating special events and cruises my congratulations!  DGD Morgan is moving Monday into the new place.  Now she won't have to call her boyfriend every time she pulls into the parking garage to escort her from her car to her apartment door.  Thankfully he lives in the same complex and hurries right over.  He's a good guy!  So cheers for everyone! 🎉🙂  Vanessa @JazzyV thank you for the C&C list and I'm happy for your improvement in pain and stamina.  Let's hope that continues and improves further.

 

The destination today is cruising the Great Barrier Reef while at sea along the coast of Australia.  The closest thing we've had previously was the Ribbon Reef region which is a part of the Great Barrier Reef, and that was on May 21, 2021.  The GBR was included on our 2013 cruise but you can't actually see much from above.  That didn't stop everyone from crowding the decks to gaze into the water!   Anyway, here's the link for May 21, 2021.

 

 

Hope you all enjoy this Friday in March!  Stay safe and keep well!

[StLouisCruisers]

 

I checked our 2013 Diamond Princess cruise that passed over the Great Barrier Reef region.  No way to tell if the Ribbon Reef was anywhere near us.  A lot of people were out on deck in the early morning hours hoping to see something.  There was very little we could see from above really.  I know there were buoys marking our "lane" to travel in.  This is about all we could see.

 

 

A buoy marking our way

 

Interested observers

 

 

This happened to be Thanksgiving Day (US) so after this I have photos of a huge turkey carving extravaganza in the Atrium.  Later in the morning there were some more reefs to view (?) so this is what we saw then.

 

 

The last photo was taken from my lounge chair on the promenade.  Saving up my strength to eat that huge Thanksgiving dinner that night, I guess! 

 

So a good day overall because after all, it was considered a sea day!  More time to relax.

[lcand1923]

Will I make Page 1?

 

Have a Great Day and an even Better Weekend, Everyone!

[smitty34877]

Good morning. It is  37 and heading up to 50 later. I see blue patches in the sky!

I will celebrate International Women’s Day and have not been to the Great Barrier Reef. The recipe sounds interesting.

@cat shepard, Ann, I was so happy to see that your sister is improving. I hope the rehab facility works out. Is it far away from where you live?

@aliaschief, Enjoy your 34 sea days! It will be interesting to have so few on the ship with you.

@JazzyV, Sorry about your cold and not being able to go to the airport to get your friends. I am glad to read that your pain is much less and that you are sleeping more.

 

We are managing here and looking forward to warmer weather. Some nights there is less sleep all around  and last night was one of them. I am planning to make baked ziti  tonight as requested by our teenager. His girlfriend is coming for dinner and then someone will drive them up to the movie theater. Wow. I remember doing that not so long ago….The teenager has his eye on my ancient Subaru when he gets his license. I am willing to share occasionally but still need it myself!

 

[summer slope]

Paper Plane cocktail:

 

Ingredients

• 3/4 ounce bourbon

• 3/4 ounce Aperol

• 3/4 ounce Amaro Nonino Quintessentia

• 3/4 ounce lemon juice, freshly squeezed

 

Steps

1. Add the bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino and lemon juice into a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled.

    

2. Strain into a coupe glass.

[Heartgrove]

Thank you Jacqui, thank you Debbie, thank you Vanessa, thank you Ann, thank you Dixie, and thank you Roy for all your work.  And thank you everyone for being here!

 

Sam continues to amaze me with his turnaround from last weekend. Yesterday when I was going to feed him in the afternoon - he actally kept ahead of me going in the house. And he is definitely back to his "talking" to us. Just love him! 

 

Stay Safe, and prayers for those in need.

- Jack

[Nickelpenny]

Good morning from the Zaandam. We have a sea day today!  I dislike nasty people, I do like my middle name(s) - Anna Marie - and I am not sure what peanut clusters are but if they are peanuts and chocolate- a definite yes!  I would like to celebrate International Women’s Day!!  The food sounds good but I will pass on it and the drinks. I have snorkeled on the Great Barrier Reef when I spent a month in Australia about ten years ago. Great days in history!!

 

I love sea days and have been enjoying the presentations given by the Oi Brazil group. Yesterday they gave information on the favelas and then the group came out to answer questions. Their stories brought some of us to tears. Tonight I will be going to the Pinnacle and then the Orange Party by the Lido pool. 😁

 

 

 

(I hate typing on my phone!!) Thoughts for all and cheers for all who are celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, good news and cruises!  Have a great day everyone!

[dfish]

Good morning, everyone!

 

It is a bit of a dreary day here in mid-Michigan.  Rain is starting soon and is supposed to last all day.  I'm going to water fitness this morning.  I decided I need to change things up now and then.  After water fitness we will be running some errands and then home for the afternoon.  DB and DSIL will be over for dinner and Farkel this evening.  

 

The soup today looks good and would be a good meal to have on a chilly rainy day.  I like the addition of wine to this soup to braise the meat in.  I add red wine to my spicy bean soup and it adds a real depth of flavor to the soup.  https://www.thespruceeats.com/braised-beef-short-rib-soup-995387

 

 

This next version is Asian inspired with mushrooms and swiss chard.  https://www.skinnytaste.com/short-rib-soup-instant-pot-or-stove/

 

 

Galbitang or galbi-tang is Korean soup made with beef short ribs. Flavorful beef short ribs are simmered for over 1 hour among other aromatic vegetables (e.g. radishes, green onions, garlic and so on) and herbs. The result is deep, rich savory tasting soup with tender beef ribs. https://mykoreankitchen.com/galbitang-beef-short-rib-soup/

 

 

I think I'd go with number 2 or 3. 

 

Wishing you all a wonderful day!

[ger_77]

Good morning, thanks for the Fleet Report and Daily!  I don't think any day is a good day to be nasty.  I'm proud of my middle name Katherine which comes from my godmother, my wonderful Aunt Katie.  She was a real spitfire.  Peanut clusters usually have chocolate, so I'm in!

 

It's warming up, only -21C right now, but we're looking at a high of -3 which is way better than we had a few days ago.  The forecast is still for above 0 temperatures for Saturday and Sunday which will be nice.  

 

Happy International Women's Day to all the wonderful women here on The Daily.  You make my life better; you're strong, you're intelligent, you're compassionate, and I look forward to every interaction with you.

 

Yesterday DH read that due to the weather, there's been a dramatic reduction in the amount of cocoa bean production, resulting in the cost of chocolate going up.  As a result, after our lunch with Wayne yesterday, we made a stop where DH loaded up a basket with his favourite chocolate bars.  Now the "treat drawer" looks like we're headed into another lockdown!  LOL 

 

I'd like to try the drink, but would substitute either gin or vodka for the bourbon.  I'm pretty sure I'd like the wine, depending on the price, of course.  To be honest, I've never made short rib anything, but I'm sure it would make a nice soup.  Of course it's Friday night pizza night here, so later this afternoon we'll check the online menus and order something ooey and gooey to enjoy at the kitchen table tonight.  And wine.

 

Prayers for everyone who is suffering, is recovering, or who is just trying to keep it all together.  Cheers to all who have something to celebrate today.

 

Smooth Sailing! ☺️☺️☺️

Gerry 

 

[marshhawk]

Good Friday Morning Dailyites!  I think we have looked at the name game all week.  First the meaning, then on a name tag, and now pride in our middle name.  Maybe tomorrow will be, if you could change your name what would it be?  

 

@NickelpennyI have been thinking of you and the bugs.  Why not create some kind of slide show "Bugs of the Amazon" and share it with the schools where you sub?

 

I get very depressed when I go to the pharmacy and realize that I cant afford my meds.  But the other day I saw an elderly couple walk out of DH's oncologist office and the wife's question to him, was "why did you walk out?" and his response was that "I didnt want to have to read and sign all that paperwork". I found that sad, but I am repeatedly seeing people trying to get their must have meds, and they cant afford them .  I went to get my refill of Januvia and it had gone from 475 to 675, and I had to walk away.  Told them to put it back on the shelf, until I could get a decent pay check.  Life is just getting weird.  

 

I even considered cruising back to Cozumel to the pharmacy there, but checked and Carnival is not going to Mexico's east coast on 5 day trips anymore. At least not from Mobile.

 

Last night when I sat down at the home computer, I found a black cube on the floor.  It is a solid black cube. I didnt know what it goes to and neither the DH.  We decided that it was intraterrestrial and it was a black hole that had cubed itself and land in our den. 

 

 

Well both of us are up way too early -practicing for getting Tigger to the vets on Monday morning.

 

[cat shepard]

Stay well everyone. I will check in later. 
 

@smitty34877 Terry the closest is 45 minutes from me. The other is an hour. At least according to Google maps. 😎
 

 

*******

2021 Gaspard Cabernet Franc 

Pick a Cab Franc, any Cab Franc that appeals. I chose one from the Loire Valley, this red wine is easy to find, loved by consumers and reasonably priced. Online prices start at $16.99.

Distributors Notes

Grapes: Cabernet Franc, Cot

Vineyard: Clay and limestone. 25 – 60 years old vines, farmed organically (in conversion)

Making of: the grapes are destemmed and hand-sorted before being crushed and put into vats. The maceration then takes 5-6 weeks, with regular punchdowns, with indigenous yeast only. Once pressed, the juice spends around a year in concrete tanks. Filtered, not fined.

Personality: One of the typical grapes of the area, the Cabernet Franc instantly entices you with its smooth tannins and dark fruit flavors mingled with spicy / earthy undertones. Enjoy lightly chilled, on its own or next to some roast beef, BBQ, country hams or rustic patés.

 

Edited March 8 by cat shepard

[GTVCRUISER]

Have a Happy Friday 🙂 

[0106]

Good Morning from Cozumel! They are planning Woman’s Day March this afternoon.

 

Several women's rights organizations plan to demonstrate in cities across Mexico on March 8. The purpose of the action is to commemorate International Women's Day and draw attention to gender-based violence. 
 

Increased security and localized transport disruptions are likely near all rally sites and march routes. 

[Mr. Boston]

Good morning from a sunny, cloudless Boston.  Happy Friday to everyone.  Thanks for the daily updates.  I would never celebrate being nasty but I will celebrate the others. My middle name is my father’s first name, Gerald.  I’ve always liked peanut clusters, I seem to recall one that sold in candy stores called Bun.  Unfortunately the quote can be true sometimes.  The meal and drink suggestions sound tasty.  I’ve never been to today’s “port” but I did watch an excellent series about it hosted by David Attenboro on my flight home from Ft. Lauderdale.  Prayers for everyone on our prayer list.  Cheers to those who are celebrating happy events today!

[ottahand7]

Good morning!  Thanks for the Daily Reports and maps!  I will celebrate International Women's Day and my middle name is Jeanne.   A very good quote today.  Will pass on the cocktail and the soup will probably be excellent if it spends a day to get the short rib grease off the top.  I used to braise them a lot but John doesn't care for them.  I would always make them the day before and refrigerate overnight to be able to skim the fat and it also developed more flavor.  Thanks for the photos of today's port Sandi, thank in advance for any additional. 

 

Prayers for everyone on our care list.  Annie I was saddened to read you couldn't get your Januvia due to the new price.   There is price gouging going on because that drug has been out for many years, there are no more developmental costs.  😠   We sure took advantage of the pharmacy in Cozumel while we were there.   I hadn't been to Mexico since 2017 so the list was long.  Prayers for Tana and everyone else needing prayers. Prayers for those in war zones, Ukraine and the innocents in Gaza.  

 

Originally we were heading to get mulch at a nursery about 15 miles away because they carry big chunks but rain is due along with high winds so we will stay put.  I will probably mop the kitchen after a day of John's cooking.   Our birthday dinner with DB was fun and we hadn't had them over in a long time, especially because last year he was in terrible shape from his knee replacement and then we left on an 81 day cruise.   Have a lovely Friday!  Nancy 

[Sir PMP]

Former Ms. Rijndam in Cairns, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef: